With the holidays now in our rearview mirrors, it is time to turn our thoughts and energies toward this year's all-important elections. In recent election cycles, gun owners have enjoyed tremendous successes. But none of our victories have happened by accident. It takes careful long-term advance planning to ensure victory for the Second Amendment on Election Day. In order for us to meet the inevitable challenges and opportunities we will face this year, our preparation must begin now.
As in every election year, two things will win this year's elections for gun owners--votes and shoe leather. And no pro-Second Amendment candidate can do without both. Be assured, the anti-gun crowd is hoping you don't turn out in support of, or volunteer for, our candidates.
If you are not currently registered to vote, or if you have recently moved, please make sure you register to vote at once. And please ensure every one of your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners are registered voters as well. For information on voter registration requirements, deadlines, and applications for your state, contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit the "Voter Information" section at www.NRAILA.org.
The second part of our formula for electoral success is actively volunteering your time to the campaigns of candidates who support our rights. This is where your NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) becomes integral to our efforts. Your EVC is an NRA member--just like you--who spearheads our volunteer campaign activities in your congressional district. For more than a decade, EVCs have been acting as the liaisons between NRA members and gun owners in their districts and various pro-freedom campaigns. The main role of an EVC is to provide these campaigns with dedicated, educated volunteers to assist with phone banks, literature drops, precinct walks, voter registration drives, Election Day activities, and other volunteer campaign activities. Your EVC is also your local point of contact to assist with NRA-ILA's legislative agendas at the federal, state, and local levels.
Even if you can spare only a few hours here and there, your EVC needs to hear from you. To identify and contact your EVC, please visit www.NRAILA.org or call ILA Grassroots at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE. CONTACT YOUR EVC TODAY!
While most congressional districts are currently covered by an EVC, there are still vacancies we are trying to fill. Please visit the "Get Involved Locally" section at www.NRAILA.org to review the EVC vacancies in your state and help us find replacements. Spread the word to your fellow activists in these districts, educate them on the EVC program, and either have them contact their state Grassroots Coordinator directly, or pass their information along to your state's Grassroots Coordinator, so he/she may follow up with these individuals to learn if they are interested and able to step into the breach and serve as an EVC. Remember, the more competent and active EVCs we have in districts across the country, the better prepared we all will be to achieve victory this year. If you are interested in serving as your district's EVC, or want to learn more about the program, please visit ILA's website or contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), and ask to speak to your state's Grassroots Coordinator.
For us to succeed in this year's elections, our grassroots campaign battle plan needs to be in place NOW. There simply isn't any time to spare.